Is this REALLY necessary?! | Folding fire pit pros and cons 

I've got one and love it. I'll add that one of the major pro's for me is that in the morning the thing is bone cold and there's barely and ash left. Which means I don't waste water extinguishing it like I would with a ground fire.

I used to think these were the dumbest things ever, then I tried one. Holy shit, they are one of the best things I have ever added to the kit. I have also used the Snow Peak one for years and far prefer the Red Roads one, it has lasted much better

The body of the Red Roads fire pit is made of 201 stainless. 201 was developed in response to soaring nickel prices. The issue with 201 is it has the lowest corrosion resistance of all of the commonly avaliable stainless steels, it's used because it's cheaper. 316 stainless has a much higher nickel content than 201 and even 304, that's the metal the whole pit should be made of (not just the grill) The only one I know of is the original Snow Peak folding fire pit. Though it's obviously more expensive than the cheaper 201 bodied knock offs.

we bought ours in 2014, have probably used it 400-500 times. We don't leave home without it (when camping obviously, we dont take it to the pub). Great in dry season when fire bans are prevalent as most places you can still use fire pit without it being considered a "fire" becasue you are using it to cook and its contained. Doesn't burn the grass and that keeps other people happy. Easier to extignuish at the end of the night. I understand you can pee on it and it doesnt smell ( my wife has stopped doing that as she has gotten older but the kids love it). I know there are small ones but I dont see any value as I have a family of five BUT the large ones are a little awkward when folded up as they are probably a little larger than you would ideally want when it comes to storing it away in the back of the truck or in a camper trailer and they do rattle a bit sometimes. Someone should make a nice spare wheel bag for them- if I had a spare wheel mounted somewhere, I would use such a bag. Its not quite as warm as a conventional fire but its still pretty good and if you want to cook like the black fellsas do with small coals spread out on the ground, its obviously a bit tricky, equally its not so great for hangi's either but its REALLY GOOD for spit roasts on one of those D-cell driven rotating spits. Its does get wood to coals faster than conventional fires and its really easy to use a blower to make it burn really hot- I've even used mine as a makeshift forge, it got pretty red but showed no sign of deteroriration and than was maybe 5 years ago so kudos to Snowpeak's steel makers, its certainly good quality.

7:50 the problem with this is that you'd almost guarantee constant smoke in your face from one of the fires.

I have the Snowpeak version, like it because it's super compact, light, leaves the campsite as it was found-no fire scars, doesn't need a lot of fuel to be effective, can be set up just about anywhere, should last forever.

I appreciated the comments about the environment aspects....a great reason for having one. Combine the kit with an electric chainsaw to negate having to drag in (animal habitat) larger logs.

Great discussion. I rate the no fire scars at camp spots, the amount of camp areas that have them littered everywhere actually makes setting up difficult. Also the link for camping overland has an error, no and in it. But thanks for plugging them, always more willing to support local business.

I'm glad you did this one. I've been thinking about getting one. You made some good points.

Love my Snow peak fire pit. So light and folds down nice and flat . You get what you pay for.

For an oven option, one could place a Dutch Oven Pot suspended from an adjustable chain fixed to a steel tripod positioned over this fire pit.

You don’t have to buy an expensive stainless steel one. I got a steel one from eBay for $79 and it’s 600mm long and has a base as well. My cheap bbq plate that is half plate/half grill sits on it perfect for cooking. For a solo camper it’s perfect. Also if you decide to stay at a caravan park some of them allow a fire if it’s stand alone fire pit. It’s just an option to have. If there is a designated fire pit already sometimes I use that.

This is totally a ripoff of Snow Peak fire pit.

I bought an Ozpig with a HEAP of accessories, because I read that you can in "some parks" use an enclosed firepit (but I don't know where these places seem to be), I read they are great for cooking on and are safe to cook with..... though now I REGRET buying the Ozpig as I never use it, it is way too heavy for my liking, it's not easily moved, (for me) it doesn't light easily as it seems to not get enough air flow and the worst part of all is you have to season a lot of the parts before using them, by scrapping off the "transportation wax" and then keep them oiled up all the time...... I wish I just bought one of these Red Roads Fireplaces instead!!! Great videos fellas :) Cheers, Don (Dons Shed and Xplor Overland)

There are less expensive models that work great. Also great with charcoal. Weight - well these may add a few kg but what about the extra wood you need to bring for usual firepits and all that extra weight and bulk? Cutting wood to size again saves on space, weight and expense. Conservation - right! Lack of coals - add some charcoal for the top of the oven. Works easily with a long tong to pull and move the charcoal. I also hate how dirty the old firepits are and who knows what was burned in there (had one where a previous camper dumped all the dog crap he picked up in the camp) - terrible!

In the US there are areas where only "above ground" fires are allowed. Sometimes due to fire hazards and sometimes in pristine areas to prevent the fire scarring. Is there any such comparable law in AU? Curious if we were there if that would be a plus of these or not really applicable in a rule sense.

I like the idea, seeing that it can be used anywhere where an actual ground fire would be unfit to light. Obviously, wood size would be a problem, but nothing a few pieces of dead branch or small logs couldn't solve. Making a custom portable fire pit to the size you want... That'd be for those that would have the tools, materials and know how, obviously.

I have the Snow Peak one, It's awesome.

2:12 The guys at Go Camping are really nice and knowledgeable. I've bought quite a few things from them.

Went up the Vic high country recently with my family and my mate and his family. He had one of these we used to cook on for 5 days. Mine has just been delivered, taking it away this weekend. Love it. Mark

To use a camp oven on the fire pit use heat beads !!!!

Had one for a couple of years - great to cook on. Yep, I'd get one, oh wait, I already have one :)

Leave to your culture that’s wonderful. In Missouri I knew about snowpeaks version. Thank you from the show me state .

Holy moly 6:25 that beatle is the size of a golf ball!!!

I found a 4 kg one that costs about 110 € with dimensions of W&L: 39 cm; H: 22 cm. Going to be perfect since I go hiking/camping solo, even more so now that I mostly camp on islands of solid rock. Those are protected here in Finnish archipelago so you can't build fire directly on top since it could split the rock. Also going to be much better during winters than just sitting near a gas lantern or wearing a ton of clothing.

The weight of 12kilos is minimal compared to carrying your own wood in (ive had to carry wood to places where trees were limited especially in the canadian prairies or you are not allowed to cut wood on site - even dead fall for whatever reason)

I have one of these and they are great for leave no trace camping. Here in NSW (the rip off State) you are only allowed to collect firewood at certain times of the year and need a permit to do so.... the folding fire pit is great here as I carry a bag of heat beads for camp oven cooking and a bag of charcoal for grilling steaks etc.

We have a red roads medium sized fire pit. I find it way too tedious to try and use it for coals while wanting to maintain the fire for warmth. I choose to crack out the charcoal starter and use those on the lid of the camp oven instead.

Fire scars I don't mind but the charcoal and the bottle tops and the bean tins..........I hate.

Thats surprising to know about taylor given his rugged manlyness 🤔 i thought he would on to it with the fire game ahaha

I think Snow Peak made the original version. There are now many brands doing rip offs of it.

Seeing as this fire only needs a few smallish logs to burn efficiently you might consider using a Japanese saw like the Silky saws. I have one and it’s great. They are extremely sharp and cut through surprisingly big logs with little effort. They are easy to carry around and you don’t need a massive chain saw with all the fuel smell, spillage etc etc

the camp oven dilemma is solved with a 'Compact Campfires' fire pit... Camp oven legend king browns using them. I just bought one myself!

BANG!!!! could of saved me 8:19 of time if you started with that $300.00. its a no from me

Misses bought the darche fire pit (big version) and we love it. Keeps us warm and good for a BBQ. Atm I am Design/build a rotisserie attachment for it. Did a spit roast on it last camping session and was sweet.

Very Interesting video. I am almost getting a flat pack fire spit for first time ,so I am collecting tips, Cheers from Patagonia, Argentina

All are way over priced ! Drifta stuff is way over priced and no different to other brands

One other 'con' it takes long time to cool down you can't cook breakfast the bug out.

Great video boys, haven’t used my pit yet, lov how it doesn’t burn the ground

I have an EZY Q firepit and it works great.

This is definitely just the Snow Peak fire pit.

These look like they would be perfect on a beach, providing the coals are not dumped on the beach afterwards.

You can get laser cut 5mm Blue Scope steel Australian made portable fires pits for around $100. No need to get ripped off for $300.

Watch the drift a vid……he lies the logs across the top so that was incorrect

Was looking at getting one until you guys mention the con about camp ovens . That was a deal breaker . Thanks for that you saved me $300

Just bought one tonight here in San Jose CA. Ground fires aren’t allowed in Anza Borego Desert and that’s my wife’s favorite part of camping. If we don’t find a fire ring we’ll be ok to have a fire. Hefty price but made in Japan is quality.

Camp fires are good for atmosphere and cooking but not effective for warmth I find (that’s particularly true of portable fire pits). My Snow Peak is perhaps my favourite piece of camping equipment though. Do need to clean the grill properly though if you don’t want to smell last night’s dinner when the packed up pit is in the car

Just wish they weren't so expensive. That's the reason I've been holding off.

i was hoping you would show how it packed up or how to set it up

Interesting guys, The price tag is out for me on those stainless, just can't justify it. Would have like to see the grilling attachment in action to change my mind on the price...

thanks for the Ps+Cs. I've has the Snow Peak large pit for five years. I rate it. Only two of us. We usually cook on Lunch box cooker or two burner Coleman gas BBQs and use the fire pit as heat and outdoor TV. No complaints. I've cooked with the fire pit and 4.5lt cast iron dutchy and worked great, I got some good coals going (yes had to catch early) and put on the lid and kept adding to the bottom of there dutchy. Yes not a set and forget but worked nice with no detrimentals to the environmentas far as scaring and fire getting out of hand. We now use a spun steel dutchy with suits the fire pit better as it doesn't need as long to cook or as many coals to use. (learning curve on not burning the meal. around half the time we found compared to the cast iron version). Its a long time purchase and I feel it will out last us and whoever services our debts later, haha. cheers Gaz

Thanks for the review boys the pros out weigh the cons. So I purchased 2 for the price of 1, makes cooking food much faster and the heat too of course. 🤭🤙

I have the large Red Roads. Bought it from a prospecting store in Western Australia. I use it where a 'ground fire' is either not allowed or impractical. Its used for cooking not heating, although on a cool night it does put out a small amount of heat. At home in the backyard or under the patio I often use kindling or heat beads for a small cooking fire. The strong canvas carry bag is a plus - some supply cheap nylon. Overall I am happy with it - they aren't cheap but they are well made.

Fire is necessary. If there's a fire ban respect it. But if you can have a fire in a pop up it of some kind (legally), do it. Every time.

Love my snowpeak, yes expensive but I hate camp fire scars

I'll always go for a ground fire as long as it's legal. I'll worry about a fire pit when I'm doing an extended trip in areas I can't have a ground fire.

Absolutely the best $300 dollars I’ve spent on a camping accessory. Pity I don’t get to use the Red Roads pit enough.

It’s the type of wood that makes good or bad coals.

May have been mentioned but what are the rules in regards to a contained fire like you have there when it comes to fire bans, reason for question is coz I thought pretty much much most of the state wide has fire bans, I’ve got one 👍 just like it ( Snowys on line) but was hoping to use in the backyard over Easter ( what with doing the right thing and social isolation and stay at home rules) 👀 but fire bans

Some places don't allow ground fire the raised fire however is ok

Nice piece, thanks. I have a Snow Peak with the ground protector under the flat base. If one wants a Dutch Oven meal, it's easy to build an upside-down fire to provide enough coals.

Get a big spaghetti colander from IKEA. Works great w twigs and sticks.

with a portable firepit you're not trying to heat the planet. it punches heat out from from the sides (and even the bottom with a metal base) as well as the top half of the fire also, I can use it in my backyard without building a fixed concrete or rock firepit. I can also take it to a friends house for an outdoor party. we just dragged it to a dinner barbecue and watched a movie outside while we made smores in the backyard of a friend's house (who was renting and couldn't build in the backyard)

Mine cost $80

Good review. Got myself a beauty from good old ebay for $49 delivered. Bloody brilliant for both cooking and heating. Folds up to almost nothing and weighs less than 3 kgs. Cannot fault otherwise.

They're heaps cheaper on eBay.

All designs like this(i include the easy spit type design too) push everything to the bottom and it causes the fire to choke out. The smokiness and constant rejigging is a negative for me. I use it for briquets bbq now but have given up on the fire pit option.

Can’t you just use a low sitting Webber?

I would imagine a con would be the the noise factor of this thing rattling around in your vehicle over corrugations...

316 Stainless steel might be surgical grade stainless steel but it is not the ideal grade of stainless steel for being exposed to fire. 304 stainless is much more suited to exposure to fire. Otherwise that is a brilliant idea and very well made.

i like the look of the red roads grille plate, i have the snowpeak grille & its kindof gone to shit rusty & warped, which is a bit of a shame, we use our to cook with the camp oven alot, pro tip use the grille extension to load up the fire pit with logs & let it burn down to coals for cooking, you can do it , we take ours everywhere

Just picked one of these up today ❤ how good are they! So i had to ofc watch this video again ahahahah

I’m glad you did this Vid, it meant I found your channel! Really like the way you discuss stuff buddy

I too was looking at one but after watching this maybe not. Anyway, the weight is not that important, if like me you carry a 9kg gas bottle and a baby weber and all the knick nacks..

We used one of these for a week and set it up right next to the stream we were staying , was great , no fuss; great heat, and easy cleanup: buying one soon

I thumbed down twice, it didn't work, so i thumbed up and left it at that.

I thought it was a Darche fire pit

It looks very much like the Snow Peak version....any thoughts?

Ground fire for me plus a little hibachi style grill ($30) with heatbeads or charcoal for cooking chops and snags, and use campfire coals for the damper or stew.

Or you could just make one yourself from an old gas bottle, costs next to nothing and works just as well

That is a Snow Peak copy.

Biggest con for me is not being able to piss on the coals to put it out

Confession; I have 3 types, 3 different brands. Oh and also an ultralight fire stove. Portable, super efficient fire for heat and edibles with minimal impact on the locale for the next escapist.

We have only recently moved to using a fire pit after years of camping with very few fires. The main reason I like the fire pit is that we can carry a bag of charcoal and that means we can cook or have a bit of heat without touching any timber from the wild. The style we have is quite different to this one but one add on we are really looking forward to using is a battery powered rotisserie. After trying it out at home we think it is going to be one of the best new add-ons to our gear in a very long time.

I love my fire pit that I have its 360 Degrees Ambience View of solid Flames nothing to obstruct my view it's portable it sets up quickly it holds a lot of firewood it probably can hold up to 350 to 400 lb easily if not more it's pretty much self-feeding it can be used as a grill and it has temperature control it's base folds along with its grills it has two ways you can cook off of it one way is the wood Amber's another way is you can put briquettes in it which has a special screen to lift up the briquettes to a higher level closer to the grill plus the grill is able to be adjusted for temperature control but most of all what I like about it is the wood that hangs Above the Rim never falls out of the rim anymore it all is design to fall into itself and burn completely without Annie twigs and branches falling onto the ground

Very timely vid. Just bought an inexpensive but well built ($15 at a surplus store ) folding fire pit/BBQ. Made a base plate for it and have been doing a bunch of dry runs (cooking shit) at home. I am perfectly happy with it so far as I rarely had a fire before on trips - now I figure I will burn more. If you had a larger group - use the ground pit son otherwise use the folding pit.

I think everyone better use one if you want the camp fire, for protecting the ground and leave no trace. Just wondering where in WA the caravan park allows camp fire in wet season?

8 weeks cape York trip we used ours just about every night. No issue with the camp oven using heat beads.

Is there some rule for you-tubers lately that everyone has to start their videos by saying, "Let's get into it."?

We have had the large model of the Snow Peak brand for about three years now and absolutely love it, it uses so much less wood than we used to. We have also coupled it with an Auspit rotisserie and throw in a few heat beads every now and then. Leg of lamb or Venison is the best we have ever tasted, moist and juicy, spuds in foil on the side. Also watching the leg roll around is mesmerising. It packs flat into our camper. I don't believe the weight to be around 12kgs, it think it is more like 5.5kgs for the pit on its own. The other thing I agree with these guys is that the smoke rises straight up most of the time.

I have the Darche version of this one. Pros- can be used in the back yard without burning the grass, can cook on it by using the attachment that they come with, yes it weighs a bit but than that is less wood you need to bring with you or gather as it burns less. Con- needs cleaning before packing away, stainless steel look doesnt last. I have found best to stack( a bit like an ice cream cone) then let it burn down to cook on.

Thanks guys, a good wrap there. Covered off the ins and outs well. Price is an issue, but it's considerable if you do a fair bit of camping to spots where it's worthy to take. I really like the concept, and I'm sure there's other cheaper alternatives soon to be had. Good job with the video and keep it up.

If the ashes aren't hot then pack them out too.

I've got a different model (Kovea), but pretty much works the same & folds down to nothing. The "discussion" regarding fire pit v ground fire - I do both. For a small fire to cook over - the pit is great. You can take coals from the ground fire or have it standalone. Choice is a wonderful thing!

How long for it to cool down if you were to use next morning and want to pack up and move on ?

While the fire pit has only a couple of "advantages" Id rather a fire on the ground. The "advantages" can be worked around if you plan ahead, the fire pit is not for me.

I have the Darche 450 fire pit and 1/2 the price of Drifta SP one.

Great story thanks, been thinking about one for ages but mostly concerned with how much use I'd get out of it in regards to bushfire threat (Victorian), not able to use it on total fire bans etc. Great comments, looking at that alone it appears snowpeak the winner. Anyone know if the OZ Braai version any good?

What about heat on the surface?

12 K!!!! Wow!!!